Looking forward to 2013

Happy New Year everyone! I hope 2013 brings adventure and happiness for all of you.

As you know, I don’t like to make New Year Resolutions. I think they put too much pressure on people to completely change their lives every January 1st, and they have little hope of becoming long-term lifestyle changes. Instead, I set myself a challenge a few years ago to visit at least one new place every year, and to try at least one new activity. Yesterday, I looked back at my highlights of 2012, so today I thought I’d look forward to 2013.

Although I’m not planning any big trips for 2013, I still intend to visit at least one new place. I’m planning lots of smaller trips, like long weekends around the UK. I’ve also been looking at the possiblilty of catching the Mega Bus from Cardiff to somewhere in Europe. I’ll keep you posted on that one.

I’m also hoping to revisit some of my favourite places like Whitesands, West Wales (above). Maybe whilst I’m there I’ll be able to add surfing to my list of new activities at long last. I’ve wanted to try surfing for ages, but I was hoping to get more practice on my body board first. That, combined with the awful weather we had in the UK last summer and having to look after a seven year old meant that I couldn’t get in the water and give surfing a go.

I’m adding a new aspect to my challenge this year as well – I want to take part in more local, community activities. You know I love all things local, and I live in a fantastic community of people, a rare occurrence when you live so close to a city centre. I’ve dabbled in local events in the past, but I’m terrible for making up excuses as to why I can’t do more. If I make it part of my challenge then I’ll make myself get involved, and I know I’ll end up having lots of fun. I’ve already got a few ideas up my sleeve, and I can’t wait to share my experiences with you.

Just over a year ago I made the commitment to live a more plant-based lifestyle. This year I hope to continue that journey and move closer to living completely plant-based. Oil and sugar are my biggest vices at the moment. Although I’ve stopped cooking with oil at home, I still buy products that contain oil and I want that to change. It’s virtually impossible to cut out oil when I’m out and about, but I’m hoping that making the change at home will have a difference. Cutting out sugar is theoretically a lot easier, but I have a really sweet tooth so for me it’s going to be a bit tougher. I’ll do my best, though. While we’re on the subject of food, I also want to educate myself further about my allergies and do my bit to support producers that cater to both plant-based vegetarians and allergy sufferers.

As always, I’d love to hear about your adventures in 2013. I’m going to head out now because the sun has actually made an appearance in South Wales! I was starting to think the rain would never stop!